Philadelphia Mayor-Elect Jim Kenney has announced his appointment for Philadelphia Police Commissioner.

Kenney introduced First Deputy Commissioner Richard Ross Wednesday afternoon, after which the incoming Commissioner answered questions from the press.

Throughout his remarks, Ross preached inclusiveness, and the need for police to forge better relationships with various communities. He also vowed to continue to drive down crime, and stated that use of body cameras will expand.

The next commissioner also repeatedly praised his predecessor, current Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey.

“He’s been a friend and a mentor to me and he’s done some heavy lifting in this department and this city. I’ve been thankful to serve under him for the last seven years," Ross said.

“It’s not about reinventing the wheel, it’s about building upon it.”

Ross has served as First Deputy Commissioner since 2008. In that position he has overseen daily operations for 6,000 sworn and civilian personnel assigned to Patrol Bureau, Special Investigations, Homeland Security and Domestic Preparedness, and State and Federal Task Forces. Ross is a Philadelphia native and graduate of Central High School, earning his undergraduate degree at Penn State, his graduate degree at St. Joseph's and an additional certificate in leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School.

Ross has been in the Police Department for 26 years, joining in 1989, and served in a large number of roles, working in Patrol, Special Operations, Detective Bureau, Homicide, and Internal Affairs.

Ramsey will be retiring from the position early in January 2016 after 8 years.